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Software Development at Academy of Interactive Entertainment

Seattle, WA · Private nonprofit · Certificate · Computer Software and Media Applications

A 65% admission rate makes Academy of Interactive Entertainment accessible to a wide range of qualified students, a compact campus enrolling 76 students in Seattle, WA.

Program Analysis

At $24,750 per year, Software Development graduates from Academy of Interactive Entertainment earn below the $31,879 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 16.1x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI exposure is significant at 70% of job tasks, producing a 40% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

The median debt load of $12,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #21 out of 24 programs, Academy of Interactive Entertainment's financial outcomes for Software Development trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $24,750 to $38,714 over five years (56% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

Software Development connects to 3 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

47 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
37
Low End
47
Score
50
High End
Earnings $24,750/yr (-22% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (30% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (262,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$431K
11.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
17.5x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
13 of 13
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition
$24,600
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000
5.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$38,714
56% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Software Development graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Computer and information systems managers $171,200 +15.2% 47%
Computer and information research scientists $140,910 +19.7% 37%
Database architects $135,980 +8.7% 6%
Computer and information systems managers
$171,200
+15.2% growth 47% AI-proof
Computer and information research scientists
$140,910
+19.7% growth 37% AI-proof
Database architects
$135,980
+8.7% growth 6% AI-proof

View all 13 career paths with full salary data →

Software Development Career Guide

Software Development opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Software Development career guide →

Compare & Explore

Software Development Overview

View all 24 schools offering Software Development →

Software Development at Other Schools

Madison Area Technical College ($65,191) Dunwoody College of Technology ($52,264) Hunter Business School ($45,301) Dallas College ($41,477) Minneapolis Community and Technical College ($38,262) Portland Community College ($37,572) Visible Music College ($35,734) Harrisburg Area Community College ($35,284)

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Compare Software Development degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 47/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Software Development at Academy of Interactive Entertainment?
A score of 47/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Software Development. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
What's the AI risk for Software Development graduates from Academy of Interactive Entertainment?
Our scenarios model 70% of Software Development tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Academy of Interactive Entertainment's 47/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
Why are Software Development earnings lower at Academy of Interactive Entertainment?
Starting salary is one data point. If Academy of Interactive Entertainment's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Software Development program at Academy of Interactive Entertainment?
The DOL recognizes 3 apprenticeship pathways related to Software Development. For students weighing Academy of Interactive Entertainment's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
Will Software Development graduates from Academy of Interactive Entertainment find jobs?
With approximately 262,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Software Development offers a very large employment pool. Academy of Interactive Entertainment graduates enter a market shaped by ongoing digital transformation and technology adoption.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →